should have flown south; Daye

[Mazikeen]

The “not anymore” response that her question earns elicits a short bark of a laugh from the filly-turned-wolf - she so quickly assumes it was a joke. Hearing the wolf speak, at least, confirms her belief that this is another shifter, which she is delighted to discover, and if there were any guards in place around Mazikeen they vanish as she watches the larger wolf approach. Although Mazikeen can take the shape of any animal she wishes, she has not done much (yet) to study their behaviours. It won’t occur to her until later (or perhaps, immediately after this interaction) that it is not enough to just look like the animals. There are movements and instincts and even little ticks that she should and could learn to make her shifts more… realistic. Instead of just being a filly standing there in a wolf’s clothing. Her bright orange eyes watch the movement of the older horse-wolf, catch the vaguely-threatening words, but she is unfazed. She just blinks and watches as the other wolf moves into a position ready to pounce, and Maze is just utterly captivated. She can't even think of something witty to say back. Doesn't have the words to say 'no I don't know how to use them but I sure would like for a pretty wolf like you to teach me'. She is full of the bravado of youth, and even when the older wolf snaps at her - Mazikeen does not run away. She flinches a little bit, enough that the snapping jaws of the older wolf grasp her fur instead of her skin. For a moment, she is surprised - no one has ever attacked her before - but this feels so much like a game that she recovers quickly. So she does her best to copy the stance the other wolf had made a few moments ago, gathering her strength before she leaps - paws outstretched with their claws and her jaws snapping in a mimic of the attack she just received. There’s no force behind the actions, though - not really. Because she doesn't know how hard to bite, she doesn't know how hard to shove with her large paws. But maybe if she's lucky, this wolf will show her. Like a puppy learning from a parent.

image by Reitro

@[Dayé]